The best restaurants in Forte dei Marmi

Who would have thought that an area of just 9 sq km could hold decades of renown and timeless energy? Set between the Apuan Alps and the sea, caught between green mountain peaks and deep blue water, Forte dei Marmi has always been (and perhaps always will be) the chicest corner of Versilia: a place where days are measured by long walks along the pier or on the beach chasing the sun, shopping trips through haute couture boutiques and weekend market stalls, mid-afternoon toasts on the sand and dancing under the stars late into the night.

Fun and glamour meet under its skies, placing it firmly among Italy’s most celebrated destinations. Here, stories converge around the places that defined the town’s golden years, turning it into a legend favoured by holidaymakers, celebrities and bon viveurs alike.

While beach clubs, bars and late-night spots make up the nightlife everyone loves, in Forte dei Marmi dining is taken just as seriously. Here is our pick of where to go for exceptional meals and memorable flavours.

LUX LUCIS | Hotel Principe Forte dei Marmi

Viale Ammiraglio Morin, 67

On the rooftop terrace of Hotel Principe Forte dei Marmi, surrounded by sleek contemporary architecture, sits a Michelin-starred address of the highest order. LUX LUCIS is the domain of chef Valentino Cassanelli, who brings his creativity to balanced land- and seafood-led menus, serving dishes conceived as a ‘free expression of Italian cuisine’. They pair seamlessly with the bottles recommended by sommelier Sokol Ndreko, all while your gaze wanders across the open sea and the curves of the Apuan Alps.

Riviera Lounge Club Bistrot

Via Achille Franceschi, 6

Sip a good drink or a glass of wine, enjoy oysters and champagne or fresh seafood crudo, and wait for dawn to the sound of top DJs on the decks. If you are looking for the perfect spot to eat well and have fun, you may just have found it. At Riviera Lounge Club Bistrot, where summer revolves around aperitivo, fine dining from the kitchen team and dancing by the sea, owner Emiliano Fontani – collaborating this season with well-known restaurateur Alessio Limatola – channels the roaring spirit of classic Versilia alongside great food. The interior has a stylish, à la page, vintage feel, where cocktail in hand between portraits of Brigitte Bardot and Mina, you step back in time as the night stretches ahead.

Bistrot

Via Achille Franceschi, 14

Much of the culinary heritage of Forte dei Marmi and the Versilia coast runs through the Vaiani family. BISTROT, which holds a Michelin star, has been a benchmark for hospitality and quality for two generations, loved for its meat and above all its seafood. Served raw, steamed or grilled over charcoal, the fish appears in dishes shaped by tradition, flair and measured innovation. With its refined dining room and thoughtful menu, this is a true destination for chef-led cooking.

Ristorante Lorenzo

Via Carducci, 61

Polished rooms, stellar produce, an extensive wine list and meticulous service, matched by dishes plated like works of art: these are the hallmarks of this celebrated address. A local institution in the heart of Forte dei Marmi, RISTORANTE LORENZO has championed fine dining, conviviality and aesthetic pleasure since 1981 – and shows no sign of slowing down.

The Fratellini’s

Via della Repubblica, 2/A

At The Fratellini’s, the approach is all about versatile, fusion cooking that keeps things exciting at any time of day. Local Italian ingredients meet exotic touches: order the nigiri with hamachi tartare, apricot purée and shichimi, or risotto with red prawns, umeboshi, tekka powder and raw fish, and you will find yourself drifting between Italy and East Asia. It is also an ideal spot for an unconventional aperitivo.

Osteria del Mare

Viale Franceschi, 4/C

Provençal-style dining rooms, wisteria-covered verandas and a sea-facing conservatory that opens in fine weather to let in coastal breezes: candlelit dinners at OSTERIA DEL MARE have an undeniable charm. The menu offers fresh seafood and land-based dishes prepared simply without fuss, yet consistently delicious. Expect a generous selection of raw seafood, catch of the day, oysters, pasta, meat and wood-fired pizzas.

Maitò

Viale della Repubblica, 9

The restaurant at the historic Bagno Maitò sits comfortably on the soft sand, looking out at the sea just steps away. A meeting place and landmark since the ’60s for lovers of good Tuscan and Italian cooking, it has updated its look over time while preserving its essence and the atmosphere of a classic Versilia chalet. The menu focuses mainly on seafood, alongside meat options, pizza and focaccia, closely rooted in local culinary traditions with modern creative touches to keep up with the times.

Trattoria Tre Stelle

Via Montauti, 6

Overlooking one of the main streets near the old Fortino, TRATTORIA TRE STELLE reflects the charm and polish of Forte dei Marmi. Styled in crisp white, it features an enchanting outdoor terrace that is especially inviting in the warmer months for dining under the summer stars. Starters, pastas and seafood mains follow regional recipes, enlivened by a few creative twists from the chef.

Ristorante Bagno Bruno

Via Arenile, 22

Vittorio Polacci and his wife Pina first opened Bagno Bruno back in 1951. Since then, the family business has never stopped, passed down through the generations. Having earned a Monocle Restaurant Award in 2015 for its food, setting and service, RISTORANTE BAGNO BRUNO remains a benchmark of warmth and culinary tradition. The menu changes regularly depending on market availability and whatever the sea provides.

Marechiaro

Via Arenile, 19

Ristorante Marechiaro, with its adjoining beach club of the same name, opened in the ’60s and has served classic, homestyle cooking ever since, making families feel at home so they never have to leave the beach for meals. The aim here is to rediscover Versilia’s golden years and ‘la bella vita del Forte’ through parties and memorable evenings by the sea. In short, an address that has accompanied the town through every chapter of its modern history, celebrating it today by returning to the roots of its success.

Orlando

Via Colombo, 80

The sign peeks out discreetly from trailing climbers. Once through the door, you enter the undisputed local haven for the best doughs and fillings in Forte dei Marmi. Tucked away in its leafy garden, well shielded from outside bustle and fleeting trends, ORLANDO is a timeless spot famed for delicious pizzas and focaccine. Made from a time-tested recipe with a blend of flours and long leavening times, they are topped with fine cured meats and fresh cheeses. A temptation well worth giving in to.

Pesce Baracca

Via Achille Franceschi, 2

With PESCE BARACCA, a fresh take on the local fish market arrived in Forte dei Marmi. Part fish counter, part deli, part restaurant and part takeaway street-food spot, this address caters to anyone after a quick, ocean-fresh bite. Fish and shellfish arrive every morning: pick what catches your eye, have it cooked to your liking and eat in or take away. If you cannot decide, the chefs are always on hand to advise.